Tunisians went to the polls Sunday in a high-stakes presidential election as President Kais Saied seeks a second term, with his chief opposition rival imprisoned and numerous other political opponents either jailed or barred from running.
The election saw Saied, 66, facing two remaining candidates: Zouhair Maghzaoui, leader of the Chaab Party and former ally turned critic, and Ayachi Zammel, who had been viewed as a significant challenger until his detention last month.
Voter turnout reached 27.7%, according to the election commission, a sharp drop from the 55% turnout in the 2019 presidential runoff, indicating a diminished enthusiasm among Tunisians. Preliminary exit polls, broadcast on state television, showed Saied leading with 89.2% of the vote. Official results are anticipated Monday evening, with a possible avoidance of a runoff if Saied’s victory is confirmed.
Once considered the sole democratic success of the 2011 "Arab Spring" revolutions, Tunisia’s trajectory has drawn concerns from rights groups, who argue Saied has undermined democratic gains and centralized power by dismantling institutional checks. In his defense, Saied contends he is combating corruption and elite exploitation, promising to uphold his commitment to a just Tunisia.
Political turmoil has escalated since the electoral commission, appointed by Saied, disqualified three major candidates last month, sparking protests from opposition parties and civil society organizations. Tensions heightened further when Saied’s loyalists passed a law last week stripping the administrative court of its power to oversee election disputes, weakening the judiciary's autonomy after Saied dissolved the Supreme Judicial Council and dismissed dozens of judges in 2022.
Sunday’s election highlights the stark changes in Tunisia's political landscape since the 2011 uprising, when elections drew high turnout and intense competition. Since his election in 2019, Saied has consolidated power by dissolving parliament and redrafting the constitution in moves widely condemned by the opposition as a coup. His actions, including the creation of a largely symbolic parliament, have seen public participation in national referenda and elections plummet, with only 11% turnout in the January 2023 parliamentary runoff.
Despite concerns over democratic backsliding and a strained economy marked by shortages and power cuts, Saied retains support from portions of the population who see him as a bulwark against elite corruption. "Saied is the first president to challenge corrupt politicians and businessmen," said Salem Lahmar, a local fruit vendor, expressing his continued support for the president.
While Tunisia has received increased European financial assistance and an uptick in tourism revenue, financial challenges remain substantial, with limited access to subsidized goods impacting daily life for many Tunisians.
